System and method for electronic voting network having physical port blockers

ABSTRACT

A local electronic voting network configured as a daisy chain network is provided. Each network device may include a switch for routing and propagating voting network communications. A TCP/IP protocol over Ethernet based connections may be used. Voting devices may include a relay configured such that in case of power down of a voting device the relay shunts the communications down the network. Multiple input/output ports may be provided on network devices and a physical port blocker is provided to block unused ports. A network controller may include a display screen which utilizes a graphical user interface to display status information regarding individual ones of the voting devices that are coupled to the voting network.

This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No.62/356,676 filed Jun. 30, 2016, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to the voting systems for elections. Morespecifically, it provides a system and method for providing networkcontrol of a direct recording electric voting network.

A variety of electronic voting systems are well known. For example, avariety of paper ballot systems have long existed. As voting technologyhas improved over time, electronic voting systems have become apreferred voting mechanism. Direct recording electronic (DRE) votingsystems are electronic voting systems that record electronic votesdirectly. For at least some of these electronic voting systems, locallynetworked voting systems have become popular. In some embodiments ofnetworked voting systems, votes may be cast on multiple voting terminalsand then accumulated on one or more other networked controller devices.

Traditionally, local voting networks have been implementing as RS-485based networks. In its most basic form, RS-485 based voting networks areconfigured as a series of network nodes, with each node connected inline in series to the next. The RS-485 network operates in amaster/slave arrangement with the network controller operating as themaster device and the voting terminals being slave devices. StandardRS-485 schemes may be utilized to connect the networked voting terminalsin this serial based bus protocol. Thus, the voting network controlleroperates at the head of the serial daisy chain with a plurality ofvoting terminals connected in series down the chain, communicating viathe RS-485 standard. It would be desirable to provide an improved localnetwork for electronic voting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides, in one embodiment, a local electronicvoting network configured as a daisy chain network having a TCP/IPprotocol over Ethernet based connections. An on-board Ethernet switchmay be provided at each network node, including within the networkcontroller and each voting terminal. The use of switches throughout thechain allows for improved signal quality and strength. In addition to aswitch, at least some of the nodes, for example voting terminals, mayinclude a relay. The relay may be configured such that in case of powerdown of a node (and/or the node's switch) the relay shunts the Ethernetsignal down the network. In this manner, power down, malfunction,interruption, etc. of a particular node does not affect downstreamdevices.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides an input/outputport blocker. The port blocker may be comprised of two moveable doorswhich selectively block one or two input/output ports in a securemanner. The two moveable doors may be coupled to each other such thatmovement of the first door imparts movement to the second door. Thesecond door may be selectively decoupled from the first door so that thesecond door may move independent of the first door.

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a graphicaluser interface for use with a network controller. The graphical userinterface may be used to display icons which are indicative of thestatus of various voting devices coupled to the voting networkcontrolled by the network controller. The icons may display multiplelevels of information regarding the status of individual voting devices,include (1) the presence of a voting device, (2) whether a voting deviceis initializing, ready for use or in use and/or (3) any high importancemessages regarding a voting device such as error alerts, voting devicedisconnection or help requests.

In one embodiment, an election voting system network is provided. Theelection voting system network may comprise a plurality of votingdevices, the voting devices being network connectable and beingconfigured to process a voter's ballot selections; a voting networkcontroller, the controller network being connectable to at least one ofthe plurality of voting devices, the voting network controller providingcontrol over the plurality of voting devices; and a communicationnetwork coupling the voting devices and the network controller, thecommunication network being configured as a serial daisy chainconnection of the voting network controller and the plurality of votingdevices. Further, at least two of the plurality of voting devices eachcontain at least one multi-port switch, the multi-port switch routingand propagating network communications among the voting devices of thevoting system network according a network address scheme. The multi-portswitch receives network communications on at least a first port, fornetwork communications intended for another of the plurality of votingdevices the multi-port switch retransmitting through a second portnetwork communications to a next voting device in the serial daisy chainconnections of the plurality of voting devices.

In another embodiment, an election voting system network is provided.The election voting system network comprises a plurality of votingdevices, the voting devices being network connectable and beingconfigured to process a voter's ballot selections; a voting networkcontroller, the controller network being connectable to at least one ofthe plurality of voting devices, the voting network controller providingcontrol over the plurality of voting devices; and a communicationnetwork coupling the voting devices and the network controller, thecommunication network being configured as a serial daisy chainconnection of the voting network controller and the plurality of votingdevices. Further, at least two of the plurality of voting devices eachinclude a relay, the relay shunting network communications received by afirst voting device of the plurality of voting devices, the shuntednetwork communications being provided to a second voting device of theplurality of voting devices, the shunted communications being shuntedeven when the first voting network device is not powered.

In another embodiment, an election voting system network device isprovided. The election voting system network device comprises aplurality of network connectors, the network connectors providing aconnection point for connecting the voting system network device to avoting network; a relay, the relay coupled to at least two of theplurality of network connectors; and a multi-port switch, the multi-portswitch having at least one port coupled to each of the plurality ofnetwork connectors and another port coupled to processing circuitry ofthe voting system network device, the multi-port switch configured toallow routing and propagating network communications amongst othervoting devices according a network address scheme, the multi-port switchconfigured to receive network communications on at least a first port,for network communications intended for other voting devices the switchretransmitting the network communications through a second port.Further, the relay is configured to pass network communications betweenthe network connectors and the multi-port switch in a normal mode ofoperation and being configured to shunt network communications betweenat least two of the plurality of network connectors in a manner thatbypasses the multi-port switch in a bypass mode of operation.

In another embodiment, a method of configuring a network connectedelection voting system comprises providing a plurality of votingdevices, the voting devices being network connectable and beingconfigured to process a voter's ballot selections; and providing avoting network controller, the controller network being connectable toat least one of the plurality of voting devices, the voting networkcontroller providing control over the plurality of voting devices. Themethod further comprises configuring the plurality of voting devices andthe voting network controller to communicate over a communicationnetwork, the communication network being configured as serial daisychain connections of the voting network controller and the plurality ofvoting devices; and configuring at least some of the plurality of votingdevices to communicate with each other through the use of multi-portswitches within each of the at least some of the plurality of votingdevices, the, the multi-port switches routing and propagating networkcommunications among the plurality of voting devices of the votingsystem network according a network address scheme, each of themulti-port switches receiving network communications on at least a firstport, for network communications intended for another of the pluralityof voting devices the multi-port switch retransmitting through a secondport network communications to a next voting device in the serial daisychain connections of the plurality of voting devices.

In yet another embodiment, an election voting system network device isprovided. The election voting system network device comprises a firstinput/output port, the first input/output port providing a physicalconnection point for the election voting system network deviceconfigured to receive voting network communications; and a secondinput/output port, the first input/output port providing a physicalconnection point for the election voting system network deviceconfigured to receive voting network communications. The election votingsystem network device further comprises a first movable door, the firstmovable door having at least two positions, in a first position of thefirst movable door the first movable door blocking the firstinput/output port and the second input/output port, and in a secondposition of the first moveable door the first sliding door capable ofunblocking at least the first input/output port; and a second movabledoor, the second movable door having at least two positions, in a firstposition of the second movable door the second movable door blockingaccess to the second input/output port and in a second position of thesecond movable door the second movable door unblocking at least thesecond input/output port. Further, the second movable door is configuredto be movable as a result of movement of the first movable door, thesecond movable door being movable between the first position of thesecond movable door and the second position of the second movable doorwhile the first movable door is in the second position of the firstmovable door.

In yet another embodiment, an election voting system port blocker isprovided. The election voting system port blocker comprises a firstsliding door configured to provide selective access to a firstinput/output port and a second input/output port, in a first position ofthe first sliding door the first sliding door blocking access to boththe first input/output port and the second input/output port and in asecond position of the first sliding door the first sliding doorunblocking the first input/output port; and a second sliding doorconfigured to provide selective access to the second input/output port,in a first position of the second sliding door the second sliding doorblocking access to the second input/output port and in a second positionof the second sliding door the second sliding door unblocking the secondinput/output port. Further, the second sliding door is configured to beselectively coupled to the first sliding door such that, when coupled,movement of the first sliding door causes movement of the second slidingdoor. In addition, the first sliding door and the second sliding doormay be selectively moved to a variety of positions that selectively (1)block both the first input/output port and the second input/output port,(2) block one of the first input/output port or the second input/outputport, or (3) unblock both the first input/output port and the secondinput/output port.

In yet another embodiment, an election voting system network isprovided. The election voting system network comprises a plurality ofvoting devices, the voting devices being network connectable and beingconfigured to process a voter's ballot selections, at least one of theplurality of voting devices having two input/output ports; a votingnetwork controller, the controller network being connectable to at leastone of the plurality of voting devices, the voting network controllerproviding control over the plurality of voting devices; and acommunication network coupling the voting devices and the networkcontroller, the communication network being configured as a serial daisychain connection of the voting network controller and the plurality ofvoting devices. The election voting system network further comprises aport blocker assembly coupled to at least one of the plurality of votingdevices having two input/output ports. The port blocker assemblycomprises a first sliding door configured to provide selective access toa first input/output port and a second input/output port, in a firstposition of the first sliding door the first sliding door blockingaccess to both the first input/output port and the second input/outputport and in a second position of the first sliding door the firstsliding door unblocking the first input/output port; and a secondsliding door configured to provide selective access to the secondinput/output port, in a first position of the second sliding door thesecond sliding door blocking access to the second input/output port andin a second position of the second sliding door the second sliding doorunblocking the second input/output port. Further, the second slidingdoor is configured to be selectively coupled to the first sliding doorsuch that, when coupled, movement of the first sliding door causesmovement of the second sliding door.

In another embodiment, a networked election voting system is provided.The networked election voting system comprises a plurality of votingdevices, the voting devices being network connectable and beingconfigured to process a voter's ballot selections; a voting networkcontroller, the controller network being connectable to at least one ofthe plurality of voting devices, the voting network controller providingcontrol over the plurality of voting devices; and a communicationnetwork coupling the voting devices and the network controller. Thenetworked election voting system further comprises a voting networkcontroller display screen including a graphical user interface; and aplurality of icons presentable on the graphical user interface,individual icons of the plurality of icons representative of statusinformation of individual ones of the plurality of voting devices.

In another embodiment, a method of monitoring a networked electionvoting system, comprises providing a plurality of voting devices, thevoting devices being network connectable and being configured to processa voter's ballot selections; and providing a voting network controller,the controller network being connectable to at least one of theplurality of voting devices, the voting network controller providingcontrol over the plurality of voting devices. The method furthercomprises coupling the voting devices and the network controller with acommunication network; providing a voting network controller displayscreen including a graphical user interface; and generating a pluralityof icons presentable on the graphical user interface, individual iconsof the plurality of icons indicative of the presence status ofindividual ones of the plurality of voting devices when individual onesof the plurality of voting devise are coupled to the communicationnetwork.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention and advantagesthereof may be acquired by referring to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumbers indicate like features. It is to be noted, however, that theaccompanying drawings illustrate only exemplary embodiments of thedisclosed concept and are therefore not to be considered limiting of itsscope, for the disclosed concept may admit to other equally effectiveembodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary voting networks and a central tabulationcenter.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary local voting network.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary voting device system design.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary backplane board.

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate exemplary local voting network configurations.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate exemplary backplane board circuitry includingrelays.

FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary voting network device without portblockers.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate an exemplary back plate assembly having slidingdoors for use with port blocking.

FIGS. 11-14 illustrate differing states of an exemplary port blockingconfiguration having sliding doors.

FIGS. 15-21 illustrate exemplary embodiments of a graphical userinterface as shown on a network controller display screen.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure provides a variety of voting networkconfigurations and techniques which may be utilized in combination orsingularly, as each configuration and technique provides advantageousimprovements independent of the use of other configurations andtechniques. For, example, in one embodiment, voting networkconfiguration is provided which provides a local voting network havingTCP/IP protocol over Ethernet based connections. In another embodiment,a configuration and technique for port blocking security control at anetwork node is provided. In another embodiment, a configuration andtechnique for providing connectivity status and alerts between votingterminals and a network controller is provided. Each of theseembodiments may be utilized alone or in combination of the others, asthis disclosure is not meant to be limited to only a combination of thetechniques.

1. Local Voting Network

The present disclosure provides, in one embodiment, a local electronicvoting network configured as a daisy chain network having a TCP/IPprotocol over Ethernet based connections. On onboard Ethernet switch maybe provided at each network node, including within the networkcontroller and each voting terminal. The use of switches throughout thechain allows for improved signal quality and strength. In addition to aswitch, at least some of the nodes, for example voting terminals, mayinclude a relay. The relay may be configured such that in case of powerdown of a node (and/or the node's switch) the relay shunts the Ethernetsignal down the network. In this manner, power down, malfunction,interruption, etc. of a particular node does not affect downstreamdevices.

The techniques disclosed herein may be useful in a wide variety ofnetworked voting systems, and those networks disclosed herein will berecognized as merely being exemplary. As such, the techniques will berecognized to be useful in a wide range of networked voting systems, andnot only the exemplary networks shown and described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates at a high level one exemplary voting system. As shownin FIG. 1, a plurality of local voting networks 100 are provided. Votingresults from the local voting networks 100 may be communicated to acentral tabulation center 120. Communication from the networks 100 mayoccur in a wide variety of manners, including manual transmission(providing an “air gap” such as in the manual movement of data drivesfrom the networks 100 to the central tabulation center 120), hardwireelectronic transmission, wireless electronic transmission, etc.

The voting networks 100 may include a variety of voting devices arrangedin a variety of manners. For example, the voting networks 100 may eachbe located at a voting precinct location in which one or more votingterminals are provided. The voting networks 100 may be similarlyconfigured early voting locations. However, it will be recognized thatmany other voting networks may also be applicable to the techniquesdisclosed herein, and the configurations and techniques disclosed arenot limited to these examples.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary local voting network, such as a votingprecinct network. As shown in FIG. 2, one or more voting devices 105 areprovided. Though six voting devices 105 are shown for merelyillustrative purposes, the concepts described herein may be utilizedwith more or less voting devices. The voting devices 105 may be directrecording electronic (DRE) voting terminals. The voting devices 105 mayalso be other in-person voting terminals, ballot scanning votingterminals (scanners), etc. that are utilized to document a voter'sintent in an electronic network configuration. Networked to the votingdevices 105 is network controller 110. The network controller 110 maytake the form of one or more of a wide variety of network devices thatmay be used to control, monitor, and/or implement the voting process ofthe voting devices 105. For example, the controller may be an electionjudge's electronic station or computer used at a precinct voting stationto provide ballot information to the voting devices and subsequentlycollect voting records from voting devices. In other embodiments, thecontroller may also be a server that controls the operations of votingdevices. The network controller 105 may be a single integrated unit ormay be comprised of a plurality of devices. For example, the networkcontroller may be the combination of one or more of computing devices,keyboards, visual display screens, printers, etc., all of which may beformed integrally in a single unit or all (or some) of which may beseparate components electrically connected together.

Hardwire connections 120 may be provided as shown in FIG. 2 between thenetwork controller 110 and the voting devices 105. As described herein,the communications over the hardwire connections may take the form ofTCP/IP over Ethernet protocols. It will be noted that though standardEthernet protocols are described herein, for an added layer of securityand voting integrity, the wiring utilized between the devices may or maynot be standard Ethernet CATS/RJ45 wiring. Rather, the physical layermay be obfuscated so as to prevent off the shelf wiring from being usedto illicitly tap into the network. Such physical layer obfuscation isdescribed in more detail below. As used herein, “Ethernet” referencesEthernet communication protocols whether standard Ethernet cabling ornon-standard cabling is utilized between the network nodes.

FIG. 3 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a voting device 105configured as a DRE voting terminal. It will be recognized that othervoting devices may be utilized while still utilizing the advantageoustechniques disclosed herein. As shown in FIG. 3 the voting device 105may include a base station 305 and a detachable voting tablet 310. Thevoting tablet 310 provides the input mechanism through which a voterinteracts. The voting tablet may include a touch sensitive screen 312which provides voting information to a voter and through which a voterprovides indications as to the voter's vote choices. The voting tablet312 may detachably connected with the base station 305 through the useof a docking connection 314. In one embodiment, the communicationsbetween the baseboard 305 and the voting tablet 312 may be accomplishedthrough Ethernet and/or USB protocols. However, it will be recognizedthat many other communication protocols may be utilized. Thoughdescribed herein with reference to a detachable voting tablet and atouch sensitive screen, it will be recognized that the particularfeatures of the voting tablet may be varied as concepts disclosed hereinare not limited to any particular voting tablet. Moreover, it will alsobe recognized that the concepts disclosed herein are not limited to theuse of a voting tablet as the features of the voting tablet may beformed integral within the base station; again, the concepts describedherein not being limited to any such particular design configurations ofthe base station and/or voting tablet.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base station 305 may be partitioned into twomain boards (a baseboard 320 and a backpanel board 322) that areconnected through board connectors 324. Again, however, suchpartitioning is merely a design choice and the concepts described hereinare not limited by such choices. The baseboard 320 may include a varietyof known computing components such as, for example, microcontrollers,power regulation devices, input/output control circuitry, etc. Coupledto the baseboard may be a memory device 326. Memory device 326 may be,in one example, a removable memory drive utilized for storing votingresults. Also connected to the baseboard may be a printer 328 such as athermal printer.

The backpanel board 322 may include a variety of input/outputmechanisms. For example, the backpanel board may input/output mechanisms340 such as power connections, on-off switches, system status lights,network connectors, etc. The backpanel board 322 is shown in more detailin FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, two of the input/output mechanisms arenetwork connectors 345A and 345B. Though two network connectors areshown, it will be recognized that additional network connectors may beprovided. Coupled to the network connectors 345A is a bypass relaycircuit 410. The operation of the bypass relay circuit is explained inmore detail below. Coupled to the bypass relay circuit 410 is a networkswitch 415. In operation, network communications may be provided to/fromthe network connectors 345A and 345B for communication to/from thenetwork switch 415 and to/from the board connector 324. In oneembodiment, the network connectors and network switch may be connectorsand switches for transmitting Ethernet communications.

For example, the network switch 415 may utilize 10/100 Mbit Ethernetswitch technology. In one embodiment, the Ethernet switch may be afive-port Ethernet switch. Two of the ports may be utilized to connectto the network connectors 345A and 345B. One of the ports may beutilized to connect the Ethernet switch 415 to the board connector 324and the baseboard 320. It will be recognized, though, that thetechniques described herein are not limited to the use of Ethernetprotocols and other communication protocols may be equally relevant.Thus, other communication protocols may be advantageously utilized in asystem having a voting device comprising the connector, relay and switchconfiguration described herein.

A baseboard such as baseboard 305 of FIG. 4 may also be adapted for usein the network controller 110. Thus, the network controller 110 mayinclude network connectors 345A and 345B and a network switch 415.Bypass relay circuit 410 may also be included within the networkcontroller 110, however, as explained below the functionality of thebypass relay circuit 410 is more directed toward voting terminals 105.In one embodiment the network switch 415 in the network controller 110may be a five-port Ethernet switch.

The network switches at each device may manage the flow of the data fromdevice to device. Thus, communications from the network controller 110may proceed through the chain of voting devices until the communicationreaches the voting device to which the communication is addressed. Theparticular relevant switch may then route the communication to thebaseboard 320 of the particularly addressed voting device. In thismanner, the flow of communications may be controlled through thecollection of network switches contained in the network controller 110and the voting devices 105.

The use of on-board network switches in the network controller 110 andthe voting devices 105 advantageously helps ensure strong signal qualityand strength verses distance of the total chain of the network. It isnoted that due to the high integrity requirements for voting sessions,ensuring the signal quality for the transmission of election databetween the network controller and the voting devices is paramount. Theinclusion of multiple switches in the network chain helps ensure thesignal is propagated in appropriate quality and strength at each hop ofthe network chain because each switch may retransmit the received signalat full or near full strength. In this manner degradation down the lineis minimized, even in the presence of a high number of voting devices105, because the switching technology propagates the signal with eachhop. Thus, the number of devices is not limited by the total length ofthe daisy chain (cable length plus device-loop-through length), butrather limited by the number of addresses allowed in the switchaddressing tables of the switches.

The network configuration described eliminates the need for separateswitches to connect network segments, as each voting device and networkcontroller already has an on-board switch. As mentioned above, in oneembodiment, the network may be configured as an Ethernet network. Thus,the physical layer of the network may be configured as an Ethernetphysical layer. In an exemplary embodiment, upper layers of the networkcommunications may be configured to communicate under TCP/IP protocols,though other protocols would be recognized to be equally applicable.Thus, as described herein, Ethernet switch technology is applied to adaisy chain network configuration for a voting system network, such as acollection of networked DRE voting devices.

As will be recognized, due to the use of switch technology, the networkconnectors 345A and 345B are not specifically designated as an input oroutput (or limited to upstream traffic or downstream traffic). Rather,each connector may allow bidirectional communications. As such, thoughthe network controller 110 may be placed at the “head” of a chain ofvoting devices 105 such as shown in FIG. 5, the network is not limitedto the configuration of FIG. 5. Thus, a network configuration such asshown in FIG. 6 may be utilized. In the configuration of FIG. 6, thenetwork controller 110 is placed “intra-chained” between the votingdevices 105A and 1058. In this configuration, one grouping of votingdevices 105A may connect to the network controller 110 through one ofthe network controller's network connectors and a second grouping ofvoting devices 1058 may connect to the network controller 110 throughanother of the network controller's network connectors. The flexibilityof placing the controller 110 intra-chain is advantageous for a numberof reasons. First, voting locations (precinct locations, early votinglocations, etc.) widely vary in physical layout. The ability of placinga network controller intra-chain greatly increases the flexibility ofadapting the physical cabling layout to a particular location. Further,some jurisdictions wish to segregate voting devices by major party. Theconfiguration of FIG. 5 allows the voting devices to be physicallyarranged in a manner conforming to such requirements. The configurationof FIG. 6 may be considered to be a two pointed star configuration ofthe daisy chain. Thus, a benefit of using a switching technology that isnot directionality based (for example Ethernet) is that the controllermay be placed anywhere within the network, effectively splitting thenetwork into multiple directions.

It will be recognized that configurations having more than two branchesmay be utilized by provision of additional network connectors in thenetwork controller. For example, as discussed above, the network switchin the network controller may be a five port switch. Four ports couldthus be utilized for external connections and one port could be utilizedto provide communications to the network controller baseboard. In thismanner, the configuration could be considered to be a four pointed starconfiguration of the daisy chain. Though described with relation to afive port switch, it will be recognized that switches may be provided inthe network controller that have even more ports. Thus, many otherconfigurations could also be utilized, again only limited by the numberof switch ports and/or switch address table limitations. Again, suchconfigurations can greatly enhance the flexibility of accommodating awide range of physical layouts found at voting locations.

Thus, a voting device network has been described herein that appliesnetwork switching technology to a daisy chain of voting devices. Theswitches help ensure signal integrity down the network chain. Inaddition, the network may be configured to be multi-directional from thenetwork controller as a result of the use of switch technology. In oneembodiment, the physical switch layer may be an Ethernet switch layer.

Returning to FIG. 4, bypass relay circuit 410 is shown interposedbetween network switch 415 and the network connectors 345A and 345B.Bypass relay circuit 410 provides a mechanism for network connectivityto be maintained amongst the network controller 110 and the votingdevices 105 even if a particular voting device 105 malfunctions, losespower or is taken off-line.

A more detailed view of the connector, relay and switch configurationfor a voting device is shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 7A illustrates thenormal network operation mode (i.e., the voting device is powered up,online, etc.) and FIG. 7B illustrates the network bypass mode (i.e., thevoting device is powered off, malfunctioning, offline, etc.). In thenormal operations, network communications would be routed to a votingdevice's network switch and a determination would be made as to thedestination of the communications, and the switch may take theappropriate action (route the communication internal to the votingdevice, route the communication to the next voting device or both).However, in non-normal operations the network switch may be powereddown, malfunctioning, etc. In such cases, it is desirable to continuerouting network communications to their appropriate destinations. Asdescribed below, the bypass relay circuitry enables such continuedrouting, even when the network switch of a voting device is notoperating (for example during power interruption). The use of relaysallows signals to propagate through the network even in the case ofpower interruption at a voting device.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the bypass relay circuit may be comprised ofelectro-mechanical relay circuits 410A and relay circuits 410B, togetheroperating as a relay. It will be recognized that relay techniques otherthan electro-mechanical relays may alternatively be used. In normaloperation, switches of the relay circuit are configured to coupletransmit and receive paths of the network connectors 345A and 345B totransmit and receive paths of the network switch 415. Thus, as shown inFIG. 7A, the switches are placed in a state that transmits the signalsfrom the network connectors 345A and 345B to the network switch 415. Asshown in FIG. 7A, two ports of the voting device's network switch arecoupled to the network.

If a voting device in the middle of a daisy chain fails (power loss forexample), the network switch 415 will power down. This would normallysever communications up/down the daisy-chain. However, as shown in FIG.7B the electro-mechanical relays 410A and 410B are configured to closewhen the power to the backpanel board goes out (either through mainpower interruption or for other reasons). When the relays 410A and 410Bchange states, the transmit and receive signals are now coupled betweenthe network connector 345A and 345B as shown. This passes the transmitand receive signals directly between the network connectors, bypassingthe network switch. In this manner, the still-functioning systems in thedaisy chain can continue to operate, providing fault tolerant operationof the daisy chain network, even when one voting device has failed.Thus, a relay mechanism is provided that ensures that if a device in themiddle of the chain is powered down, fails, malfunctions, takenoff-network, etc., the interruption of power to the switch does notaffect downstream devices. In this manner, the relay 410 shunts thenetwork communications to the other voting devices in the network.

As described above, one exemplary physical layer for use with thenetwork configurations described above is an Ethernet layer. One type ofcabling for such physical layers is the CAT 5 twisted pair cable forcarrying signals. Network connectors for such physical layers are mosttypically RJ45 compliant connectors. The network connectors describedherein may be RJ45 based connectors. In such embodiments, the cablingand associated connectors may conform to standard off the shelf Ethernetproducts. However, increased security may be obtained by utilizingconnector obfuscation techniques. Thus, though the physical layer may beone type of layer (for example Ethernet), the connectors utilized may benon-traditional connectors. Such obfuscation provides additionalsecurity by creating additional barriers for illicit access to thecomponents of the voting network. Thus, for example, though an Ethernetcommunication configuration is utilized, the cabling and the connectorsutilized may not be CAT 5 and RJ45 at the physical layer. The use ofnon-commercially available connection schemes adds to the overall systemsecurity by adding a layer of security at the physical layer. Suchobfuscation is known in the voting device art. In this manner, thoughthe communications conform to the Ethernet physical layer, the actualwiring and connector pinouts may be a custom configuration. In oneexemplary embodiment, USB 3.0 type connectors provide a connector typefor Ethernet transport. Such connectors allow for the Ethernet twistedpairs by running the 100 Mbit Ethernet on the USB 3.0 Super-Speed pairs.Other USB connections may be disabled to ensure the USB devices cannotbe coupled to the voting network through the network connectors 345A and345B. Thus, though one type of physical layer may be utilized forphysical network communications, the network connectors and cabling donot have to conform to the standard hardware for such physical layers.In this manner, as used herein, the network may be referenced as onetype of physical layer even though the connectors are different. Thus,for example, as described herein, an Ethernet network is provided eventhough the network connectors are USB 3.0 connectors.

As described above, the voting devices may take any of many forms. Inone embodiment, the voting devices may be DRE voting devices.Alternatively, the voting devices may be part of other voting solutions,such as paper-based networked printing and scanner voting systems. Itwill be recognized that the techniques described herein may beapplicable to a wide range of networked voting systems.

2. Port Blocking

Various governmental and jurisdiction regulations for voting systemstypically mandate that all external physical input/output (I/O) portsmust be physically access protected during storage or transportation toa polling place. As used herein, a physical input/output port and anetwork connector may both reference the mechanical point of connectionbetween a network node (such as a voting device or a network controller)and network cabling. References to an I/O port include ports that may beinput only, output only or both. The governmental and jurisdictionregulations typically require that I/O ports that are unused during avoting session must also remain physically blocked. These requirementsare in place to provide added security to the election process, bothduring equipment transport and during a voting session.

In the various voting network configurations such as shown in FIGS. 2, 5and 6, the last voting device 105 in a chain need only have one networkconnector in use and the other network connector (and its correspondingport on the network switch) would not be utilized. Similarly, a networkcontroller 110 may have two network connectors but in the case of theformation of only a single daisy chain (for example FIG. 2 or 5), onlyone network connector would be needed for use and the other networkconnector (and its corresponding port on the network switch) would notbe utilized. However, due to I/O port physical access protectionrequirements, the unused I/O port need be access protected.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides an input/output portblocker. The port blocker may be comprised of two moveable doors whichselectively block one or two input/output ports in a secure manner. Thetwo moveable doors may be coupled to each other such that movement ofthe first door imparts movement to the second door. The second door maybe selectively decoupled from the first door so that the second door maymove independent of the first door.

Various embodiments of physical port blocking are shown and describedwith reference to FIGS. 8-14 in order to provide a solution for suchport blocking regulations.

More particularly, the port blocking techniques described herein providea unique solution to external physical port blocking which takes intoaccount that the voting devices and controllers described herein mayinclude two bidirectional network connectors for input/output ports.Advantageously, the port blocking mechanism described herein accountsfor the fact that port usage need not be predefined for a particularnetwork device. Thus, any particular voting device may be the “last inthe chain” of the voting devices and a network controller may beconfigured to receive only a single chain of voting devices. The portblocking techniques described herein provide flexibility for setup ofthe polling place and the voting network, while allowing an electionofficial to easily unblock one or two ports (or more if additional portsare present).

FIG. 8 illustrates exemplary network connectors on the rear of a votingnetwork device 800 (for example either a voting device 105 or a networkcontroller 110). As shown in FIG. 8, no port blocking is enabled and theI/O ports (network connectors) are exposed. The example network device800 has two I/O ports 805 and 810 which may be network connectors 345Aand 345B as shown above. It will be recognized that though only two I/Oports are shown, embodiments with more than two I/O ports may beimplemented, such as for example, with regard to a network controllerwhich utilizes four ports of a five port multi-port switch to couple tofour network connectors which operate as four I/O ports enabling fourdaisy chains to connect to the network connector. The back of the votingnetwork may include various other mechanisms such as power connectionpoints, on/off switches, reset switches, LEDs that operate as statusindicators, etc., all as would be known to those skilled in the art.Also shown in FIG. 8 are strap connector 916, slot 912, and holders 918which are described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the back plate assembly for the voting networkdevice 800. FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the sub-assemblies of the backplate and FIG. 10 illustrates the sub-assemblies in an operational view.The back plate assembly includes a back plate 910 which has a slot 912,I/O port openings 914 (914A and 914B), strap connector 916, and holders918. An intermediate plate 920 is provided with openings that conform tothe structures of the back plate 910. An inner door 930 is provided witha strap connector 932. An outer door 940 is provided with strapconnectors 942 and 950. An outer door extension 944 is sized to engagewith slot 912. In operation, outer door extension 944, slot 912 andholders 918 allow the outer door 940 to slide. The outer door 940includes openings 946 and 948. In operation, when both I/O ports 805 and810 are intended to be used, the openings 946 and 948 will align withopenings 914A and 914B of the back plate 910 in order to expose I/Oports 805 and 810.

The port blocking techniques described herein allow for securing bothI/O ports in a blocked mode, allow for a single I/O port to be open withthe other I/O port still secured in a blocked mode, or allow for bothI/O ports to be open. The techniques are primarily accomplished byallowing both the inner door 930 and the outer door 940 to be slidingdoors. More particularly, the outer door 940 may slide (left to right inthe figures) as guided by the engagement of the extension 944 engaged inslot 912 and the holders 918. The inner door 930 may be secured betweenthe outer door 940 and the intermediate plate 920 so as to allow theinner door 930 to slide with the outer door 940. However, the inner door930 may also slide independently of the outer door in a right to leftmanner.

In operation, a security strap may be placed through the strap connector916 of the back plate and the strap connector 942 of the outer door 940.In this mode, the outer door 940 will be secured such that the openings946 and 948 of the outer door 940 do not align with the openings 914Aand 914B of the back plate 910 (and thus not align with the I/O ports805 and 810). In this manner, use of the security strap with the strapconnectors 916 and 942 will securely block both I/O ports. It is notedthat a security strap may also be used to strap inner door 930 to theouter door 940 by engaging the security strap through the strapconnectors 932 and 950. As is shown in more detail with FIGS. 11-14, theuse of a security strap with strap connector 916 of the back plate andthe strap connector 942 of the outer door 940 provides port blocking ofboth I/O ports, independent of whether or not a security strap is usedwith strap connectors 932 and 950. Thus, no matter what position innerdoor 930 is in, outer door 940 blocks both I/O ports when outer door 940is strapped in place.

Though outer door 940 may be used to block both I/O ports, there may becircumstances where it is desirable to unblock one I/O port whileblocking a second I/O ports. Such circumstances would typically beencountered in a voting device 105 that is at the “end-of-line” of thedaisy chain. In such circumstances, the last voting device in a daisychain of voting devices only needs network connections made through oneof the I/O ports. The second I/O port, being unused, needs to remainblocked though as described above. Likewise, it may be desirable to onlyunblock one I/O port of a network controller 110 when the networkcontroller is being used in a configuration of a single daisy chain,requiring the other I/O port to remain blocked.

The use of the sliding inner door 930, strap connector 932 and strapconnector 950 allows for the blocking of a second I/O port, even when afirst I/O port is unblocked by removing a strap at strap connectors 916and 942. More particularly, operation may follow the steps of: (1)security straps are initially in place at both sets of strap connectors(strap connectors 916 and 942 being one set and strap connectors 932 and950 being another set) and (2) a security strap is removed from strapconnectors 916 and 942 which then allows the outer door 940 to slideleft to right. As strap connectors 932 and 950 are still strappedtogether, the inner door 930 will slide with the outer door 940 fromleft to right. At this point, a left most I/O port would be exposedthrough openings 940 and 914A. However, the inner door 930 will providea physical port block of the openings 948 and 914B. In this manner, oneI/O port may be unblocked while a second I/O port remains blocked. Ifuse of the second I/O port is desired, then the security strap engagedat strap connectors 932 and 950 may be broken and the inner door 932slide right to left. This will expose openings 948 and 914B such thatthe right most I/O port 810 may now be utilized.

Various states of the straps and doors are shown for illustrativepurpose in FIGS. 11-14. In general FIGS. 11-14 illustrate embodiments ofusing two sliding door assemblies, outer door assembly 940 and innerdoor assembly 930. Both door assemblies may slide to selectively allowaccess to a network connector location. The sliding “door within adoor”, allows either one or two doors to be opened, based on whether oneI/O port or two will be utilized.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the door assemblies without any securitystraps. As shown in FIG. 11, the outer door 940 is slid to the left mostposition. In this mode both I/O ports are blocked. It is noted that asshown in FIG. 11 the inner door 930 is also slide to the left mostposition, thus only strap connector 932 is exposed as the other portionsof the inner door 932 are behind the outer door 940. Whether inner door932 is in the left most or right most position, the I/O ports would beblocked in FIG. 11 as the outer door 940 provides port blocking for bothI/O ports in the position of FIG. 11. FIG. 12 illustrates an example ofboth I/O ports 805 and 810 being exposed in a non-blocked mode. As shownin FIG. 12, outer door 940 is slide to right and the inner door 930(behind outer door 940 except for strap connector 932) is slid to theleft most position.

The use of security straps to secure the port blocking mechanisms sothat the illicit access to the voting network devices is prevented isshown in FIGS. 13A-D and 14A-C. FIGS. 13A-D illustrate an example of anetwork device which may be selectively configured to allow only oneport to be unblocked or to allow both ports to be unblocked. As shown inFIG. 13A, a security strap 1300 is coupled to strap connectors 916 and942. This security strap secures outer door 940 in a position thatblocks both I/O ports. Security strap 1310 is also coupled to strapconnectors 932 and 950 to secure inner door 930. As shown in FIG. 13B,security strap 1300 has been cut and removed. As shown in FIG. 13C, theouter door 940 has been moved to the left most position, exposing I/Oport 805. However, because security strap 1310 is still engaged, theinner door 930 slides to the left with the outer door 940. Inner door930, thus, blocks I/O port 810. As shown in FIG. 13D, the security strap1310 has been cut and inner door 930 has been slid to the left mostposition, exposing I/O port 810.

FIGS. 14A-14C illustrates an embodiment in which the port blockers areused for either blocking both I/O ports or allowing access to both I/Oports. The embodiments of FIGS. 14A-14C may be appropriate for a networkcontroller 110 which will control two daisy chains or for use with avoting device 105 which is not located at the “end-of-line” of a daisychain. As shown in FIG. 14A, the security strap 1300 secures outer door940 in a position that blocks both I/O ports. In this embodiment, theinner door 930 is not strapped. As shown in FIG. 14B, security strap1300 has been cut and removed. As shown in FIG. 14C, the outer door 940has been moved to the left most position, exposing I/O ports 805 and810. In FIG. 14C, I/O port 810 may be unblocked because inner door 930was never strapped, thus allowing for the inner door to be slid to anunblocked position.

This port blocking assembly disclosed herein allows configuration at thepolling place of the voting device based on either one or two portaccess requirements. Thus, initially the port blocker assembly may beconfigured to block both ports of a network controller or voting device(such as during transport of the equipment to a polling place). The portblocker assembly provided allows for a single I/O port to be used andwhile the other I/O port remains blocked. Alternatively, the portblocker assembly allows for two ports to be unblocked, thus allowingdual port use. It will be recognized that the port blocking techniquesdescribed herein could be extended to devices which have more than twoI/O ports.

3. Voting Device Status Provided Across Network

The voting network described above enables network communicationsbetween the voting devices 105 and the network controller 110. Thecommunications across the network may include a wide range of ballotinformation as is known in the art, for example ballots may be provided(“served”) from the network controller to the voting devices so that theballot may be loaded on the voting device for execution by a voter.Conversely, cast voting records may be transmitted back from the votingdevice to the network controller when a voter has completed a ballot. Inaddition to particular voting communications, the communications mayalso include status communications which relate to the status of thenetwork, and more particularly, the status of the voting devices. Forexample, messages may be provided that establish a voting device hasbeen added to the network. Such messages may indicate thatsynchronization between a voting device and a network controller hasbegun, that a voting device is synchronized and ready for use, thatballot has been loaded on a voting device, error alerts, power status(power connection status, battery levels), etc. Election officialsmanaging the voting network may then monitor the status of all of thevoting devices in the network. Table 1 provides exemplary statusmessages that may be provided regarding the status of a voting device.It will be recognized that the messages shown are merely exemplary, andother messages may be chosen for use by a system designer.

TABLE 1 Status Message Meaning Starting Voting device connected andsynching with network controller Not assigned Voting device needs abooth number assigned Not connected Voting device was connected, but isno longer communicating Ready Ready for a voter In use Ballot is loadedon the voting device Alert There is an error at the voting device HelpNeeded Voter needs help Battery Icon Displays battery level Plug IconDisplays whether voting external power is connected

The network controller may include a screen for monitoring the networkstatus. The various messages regarding the status of the voting devicesmay be displayed for observation by an election official. In oneembodiment, the messages are displayed as part of a graphical userinterface (GUI) which allows the election office to monitor the votingnetwork status through the use of graphical icons and/or visualindicators. The GUI provides a simple, convenient and efficient way todisplay multiple messages simultaneously to an election official in aneasy to understand format. In one embodiment, the network controllerscreen may be a touch screen.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a graphical userinterface for use with a network controller. The graphical userinterface may be used to display icons which are indicative of thestatus of various voting devices coupled to the voting networkcontrolled by the network controller. The icons may display multiplelevels of information regarding the status of individual voting devices,include (1) the presence of a voting device, (2) whether a voting deviceis initializing, ready for use or in use and/or (3) any high importancemessages regarding a voting device such as error alerts, voting devicedisconnection or help requests.

FIGS. 15-21 illustrate network controller screen for displaying a GUIfor monitoring a voting network. The screen 1500 of the networkcontroller 110 may include a window for displaying the voting devicestatus. As shown, a plurality of voting device icons 1511 are provided.In the exemplary embodiment, the icons 1511 represent twelve differentvoting devices of a polling location that are connected to a networkcontroller. In operation, as each voting device is added to a networkand a network message is generated regarding such addition, acorresponding voting device icon would be added to the screen 1500 ofthe network controller. FIG. 16 illustrates a network having one votingdevice connected (voting device number 1) and FIG. 17 illustrates thenetwork status when two voting devices are connected.

As shown in FIGS. 15-17, the voting device icons present only one“level” or “layer” of information, whether a voting device is connectedor not to the network. The icons may be utilized to provide morein-depth messaging to the network controller user. Thus, in addition tothe voting device number, other textual commentary may be added toconvey the messages of Table 1. FIG. 18 illustrates three example iconsproviding such additional textual commentary. Voting device icon 1511Aindicates that voting device 1 is in a “starting” status. Voting deviceicon 1511B indicates that voting device 1 is in a “ready” status. Votingdevice icon 1511C indicates that voting device 1 is in an “in use”status. Though not shown, the voting device icons 1511A, 1511B and 1511Cmay be implemented in different colors matching each status to furthervisually emphasize the different status of each voting device. As shownin FIG. 19, battery status information 1530 and power connection statusinformation 1532 may also be added to voting device icon 1511. Finally,some status messages may be considered high importance messages thatwarrant a distinctive message banner provided across the icon (thebanner may also be of another color to further highlight the message).Thus, as shown in FIG. 20, message banners 1550 are provided across thevoting device icons. Voting device icon 1511D is provided with the“alert” message banner, voting device icon 1511E is provided with the“not connected” message banner and voting device icon 1511F is providedwith the “help needed” message banner. FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplaryvoting device system status incorporating the concepts described abovewith regard to FIGS. 15-20. As shown in FIG. 12, the network controllerGUI indicates that status of twelve voting devices in a variety ofstatus modes. Thus, some voting devices are “starting,” some are“ready,” some are “in use,” some are in “alert” and some are in “notconnected” states.

As shown above, a GUI may provide the status of an entire network ofvoting devices for simple and efficient evaluation on a display screenof a network controller. Further, status information may be provided inmultiple levels or layers of information. For example graphics mayindicate the voting devices, embedded text may provide more detailedstatus information and high importance messages may be overlaid withbanners. Thus, three levels of information may be presented to a userfor each voting device in one icon.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of this invention willbe apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description.Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative onlyand is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the mannerof carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms andmethods of the invention herein shown and described are to be taken aspresently preferred embodiments. Equivalent techniques may besubstituted for those illustrated and describe herein and certainfeatures of the invention may be utilized independently of the use ofother features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art afterhaving the benefit of this description of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An election voting system network device,comprising: a first input/output port, the first input/output portproviding a physical connection point for the election voting systemnetwork device configured to receive voting network communications; asecond input/output port, the first input/output port providing aphysical connection point for the election voting system network deviceconfigured to receive voting network communications; a first movabledoor, the first movable door having at least two positions, in a firstposition of the first movable door the first movable door blocking thefirst input/output port and the second input/output port, and in asecond position of the first moveable door the first sliding doorcapable of unblocking at least the first input/output port; a secondmovable door, the second movable door having at least two positions, ina first position of the second movable door the second movable doorblocking access to the second input/output port and in a second positionof the second movable door the second movable door unblocking at leastthe second input/output port; and wherein the second movable door isconfigured to be movable as a result of movement of the first movabledoor, the second movable door being movable between the first positionof the second movable door and the second position of the second movabledoor while the first movable door is in the second position of the firstmovable door.
 2. The election voting system network device of claim 1,the first movable door having two input/output port access holes, thetwo input/output port access holes configured to align with the firstinput/output port and the second input/output port when the firstmovable door is in the second position of the first moveable door. 3.The election voting system network device of claim 2, the second movabledoor having no input/output port access holes.
 4. The election votingsystem network device of claim 1, the second movable door having noinput/output port access holes.
 5. The election voting system networkdevice of claim 1, the first movable door being a first sliding door andthe second movable door being a second sliding door.
 6. The electionvoting system network device of claim 5, the first movable door havingtwo input/output port access holes, the two input/output port accessholes configured to align with the first input/output port and thesecond input/output port when the first movable door is in the secondposition of the first moveable door.
 7. The election voting systemnetwork device of claim 6, the second movable door having noinput/output port access holes.
 8. The election voting system networkdevice of claim 5, the second movable door having no input/output portaccess holes.
 9. The election voting system network device of claim 1,the first movable door having a first security connector structureconfigured to allow securing the first moveable door to the electionvoting system network device, such that the first moveable door is maybe secured in the first position of the first movable door.
 10. Theelection voting system network device of claim 9, the second movabledoor having a second connector structure configured to allow securingthe second moveable door to the first moveable door, such that secondmoveable door may be secured to the first moveable door.
 11. Theelection voting system network device of claim 1, the second movabledoor having a second connector structure configured to allow securingthe second moveable door to the first moveable door, such that secondmoveable door may be secured to the first moveable door.
 12. An electionvoting system port blocker, comprising: a first sliding door configuredto provide selective access to a first input/output port and a secondinput/output port, in a first position of the first sliding door thefirst sliding door blocking access to both the first input/output portand the second input/output port and in a second position of the firstsliding door the first sliding door unblocking the first input/outputport; and a second sliding door configured to provide selective accessto the second input/output port, in a first position of the secondsliding door the second sliding door blocking access to the secondinput/output port and in a second position of the second sliding doorthe second sliding door unblocking the second input/output port; whereinthe second sliding door is configured to be selectively coupled to thefirst sliding door such that, when coupled, movement of the firstsliding door causes movement of the second sliding door, wherein thefirst sliding door and the second sliding door may be selectively movedto a variety of positions that selectively (1) block both the firstinput/output port and the second input/output port, (2) block one of thefirst input/output port or the second input/output port, or (3) unblockboth the first input/output port and the second input/output port. 13.The election voting system port blocker of claim 12, the first slidingdoor being an outer sliding door and the second sliding door being aninner sliding door.
 14. The election voting system port blocker of claim12, the first sliding door including a location for securing a firstsecurity strap.
 15. The election voting system port blocker of claim 14,the second sliding door including a location for securing a secondsecurity strap.
 16. The election voting system port blocker of claim 15,the first sliding door including a location for securing the secondsecurity strap, wherein the first sliding door and the second slidingdoor are configured such that the selective coupling of the firstsliding door and the second sliding door occurs when the first slidingdoor and the second sliding door are in a position for securing thesecond security strap to both the first sliding door and the secondsliding door.
 17. The election voting system port blocker of claim 12,the first sliding door having two input/output port access holes. 18.The election voting system port blocker of claim 17, the second slidingdoor having no input/output port access holes.
 19. An election votingsystem network comprising: a plurality of voting devices, the votingdevices being network connectable and being configured to process avoter's ballot selections, at least one of the plurality of votingdevices having two input/output ports; a voting network controller, thecontroller network being connectable to at least one of the plurality ofvoting devices, the voting network controller providing control over theplurality of voting devices; a communication network coupling the votingdevices and the network controller, the communication network beingconfigured as a serial daisy chain connection of the voting networkcontroller and the plurality of voting devices; a port blocker assemblycoupled to at least one of the plurality of voting devices having twoinput/output ports, the port blocker assembly comprising: a firstsliding door configured to provide selective access to a firstinput/output port and a second input/output port, in a first position ofthe first sliding door the first sliding door blocking access to boththe first input/output port and the second input/output port and in asecond position of the first sliding door the first sliding doorunblocking the first input/output port; and a second sliding doorconfigured to provide selective access to the second input/output port,in a first position of the second sliding door the second sliding doorblocking access to the second input/output port and in a second positionof the second sliding door the second sliding door unblocking the secondinput/output port; wherein the second sliding door is configured to beselectively coupled to the first sliding door such that, when coupled,movement of the first sliding door causes movement of the second slidingdoor.
 20. The election voting system network of claim 19, wherein eachof the plurality of voting devices has the port blocker assembly. 21.The election voting system network of claim 20, wherein the networkcontroller has the port blocker assembly.
 22. The election voting systemnetwork of claim 19, the first sliding door including a location forsecuring a first security strap.
 23. The election voting system networkof claim 22, the second sliding door including a location for securing asecond security strap.
 24. The election voting system network of claim23, the first sliding door including a location for securing the secondsecurity strap, wherein the first sliding door and the second slidingdoor are configured such that the selective coupling of the firstsliding door and the second sliding door occurs when the first slidingdoor and the second sliding door are in a position for securing thesecond security strap to both the first sliding door and the secondsliding door.